SAHARA’s Film ‘Designed By Preeti’ Strikes A Chord

Panel L to R Gunjani Patel, Rashmi Rustagi, Pallavi Dhawan, Liliana Brun Deis, Tonya Somesh.

By BHARTTI KUMAR

SANTA ANA, CA — The South Asian Helpline and Referral Agency, better known as Sahara, hosted a compelling screening of the film ‘Designed by Preeti’ on October 5 at the Frida Cinema here, in observance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

In its commitment to raising awareness about abuse within South Asian communities, Sahara invited partner organizations including South Asian Network (SAN), Olive Community Services, and Saahas for Cause, as well as the film’s lead actor, Rashmi Rustagi.

A post-screening panel discussion, moderated by Sahara’s Director of Programs Liliana Brun Deis, featured Gunjani Patel, Licensed Mental Health Counselor; Pallavi Dhawan from the LA District Attorney’s Office; Rustagi; and Tonya Somesh, a community organizer from SAN.

The discussion centered on understanding domestic abuse –  emotional, financial, and physical – and the importance of recognizing patterns of coercive control. “Abuse can take many forms,” Dhawan noted, “and repeated incidents, even if isolated, form a pattern of harm.”

Sahara President Krutika Pranav told India-West that the organization’s primary goal is to provide critical resources, counseling, and guidance for survivors. “We help clients navigate complex systems and support their families,” she said. “At Sahara, we stand by survivors with unwavering commitment, building a future rooted in safety, empowerment, and hope.”

In ‘Designed by Preeti,’ Rustagi portrays a woman who has spent decades confined to family duties, concealing her husband’s abuse behind a façade of perfection. Her journey toward liberation begins when she chooses truth over pretense and seeks a better life.

Rustagi shared with India-West that her motivation stemmed from observing women—some from affluent backgrounds—trapped in cycles of abuse. She aimed to tell an impactful story without dramatizing violence, focusing instead on resilience and the path toward self-realization. “Many women recognize abuse only when it turns physical,” she said, “but it often starts long before that—with control, humiliation, or neglect.”

Blending humor, introspection, and moments of romance, the film explores how women navigate conflicting advice from friends and societal expectations.

Rustagi, originally from Lucknow,  moved to the U.S. at 21, and pursued her career in writing and acting, appearing in ‘Grey’s Anatomy’, ‘Avengers,’ and producing the short film ‘Unborn.’

Through ‘Designed by Preeti,’ Sahara underscored an important message: breaking silence is the first step toward reclaiming strength and dignity.